Alan Beddow is an IT Project Manager, amateur sound engineer, former Parliamentary Candidate, Warwick Resident and general good egg.

Friday, February 09, 2007

Is our Geenbelt at risk?

Last night I attended the Planning Forum Meeting at Leamington Town Hall. We were given a presentation on the Regional Spatial Strategy. This is looking at where are we going to build all the new houses we will need over the next 20 years.

Government estimates show that we may need over 1/2 million new houses in the region in the next 20 years. No one can argue that we have a shortage of houses, especially affordable.

Figures do show that we have built the lions share of new houses in Warwick District over the past few years, a lot of people feel there has been too much building and not enough of it has been affordable.

The proposals could mean that between 11-15,000 additional homes could be built in the district. Surrounding areas would also have to build new homes which could put pressure on the green belt between the major towns and coventry.

So where should we build them?

I am concerned about the impacts on traffic in and around our towns and the pressure building will put on the green belt.

I will be looking at these proposals along with your local Liberal Democrat team and would like to hear your views.